Watch “to catch a thief” on tv and often they mention some kind of exterior door knob/lock that resists being broken with some kind of baton or bar that thieves use. Anyone know what brand locks those are, or what the layman’s term is for those?
Also, always heard best to get deadbolts that are longer than average (whatever the average is). Do schlage or baldwin make decorative lock sets that have the longer deadbolts? What is the length of the deadbolt I should be looking for?
These defensive details give homes a better chances of surviving wildfires.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
DEEVEE,
The length pf the lock itself isn't critical, rather the length of the screws that hold everything together..
If the striker plate is retained the door won't be forced in.. What often happens is the short screws that come with the lock set don't extend from the flimsey casing into the timbers or studs that hold the casing.. so the weak link is the casing.. LOng screws strengthen the casing to stud or timber connection and make it far harder to bust open..
The better locksets have longer bold throws, so that when the jamb is pried away from the door, the bolt is not so short that it is freed up from the latchplate.
I have been impressed with ABLOY products, made in Finland, sold in North America by registered locksmiths.
I've used their cylinder and their surface mount locks, complete with strengthened latches and long thick screws as frenchy suggested. These are double cylinder locks, meaning they can be locked from inside if you think it advisable to do so (this is a good idea if you have a window in or next to your door).
Abloy keys can only be copied by a registered locksmith; provided you first show them your ownership registration. Each extra key is rather expensive.
FWIW.. Installing double keyed deadbolts in ALL the exit doors in a residence can prove to be very dangerous.
Scrambling to find the key , and operate the lock during a real emergency (think Fire) can prove fatal.
No more that two seperate motions required to open an egress door is what is recomended.
True enough that.
For those reasons, I seldom double-locked mine when home, but would when leaving the house empty. All depends on circumstances, floor-plan, other exit options, the family's fireplan.
To the OP:
It is really nice to be able to exercise true key control with those Abloy, ASSA and no doubt the top American brands like Medeco.
The cool thing about the Abloy cylinder lock is that the bolt has built-in spring-set ball bearings that prevent the bolt from being withdrawn from the strike if someone tries to pry both apart. The Abloy surface mount lock has a different setup, but it too grabs a hold of the latch and will not let go.
A beefy latch plate with beefy screws driven into the framing is essential no matter your lock choice.
Edited 3/24/2007 1:24 am ET by Pierre1
"All depends on circumstances, floor-plan, and other exit options"
Don't forget the building code, which precludes their use on any means of egress.
Here in the bay area, california (maybe the whole state), double keyed locks don't meet code because of egress. You'll have to special order them if you want one for a door. Makes sense to me- kids locked in a burning house is not a pretty picture.zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
" Installing double keyed deadbolts in ALL the exit doors "That should be ANY door.Often with a fire one or more door will be block or too smoke fill to use.Don't want to have to run from door to door to find one that can be opened..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
A few years ago I heard this story.Some crooks had a box truck with a generic Plumber sign on it. The look for homes in upclass neighborhoods and would go to the door. If no one was home they backed the truck up to he garage.To the neighbors it just looked like they where having plumbing work done.In the back up the truck was a guy with a chain saw. "Opened" the garage door. Then had free reigen of the house to loot and load the truck..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Medeco Locks are one of the brands. They are one of the few that you can't drive a locksmith key into and shear off the pins and open the lock. I heard on a similar program you can now buy these keys on the net. It only takes as long to get in as it takes to set the end of the key in the lock and rap it with something and turn the key. 5 seconds is usually enough time. Long screws and a longer throw on the deadbolt make no difference in this situation.
A patented key is one thing to look for in finding a secure lock.
I forget the numbers ..
it's been years since I sold security systems ...
but very few break ins happen thru the main doors.
Get a good solid lock ... but most breaks ins happen thru windows.
high bushes that cover windows are the number one "source" of home break ins.
actually ... most break ins are thru unlocked doors/windows.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Cordless sawzall makes a good master-key apparently. lol
Figured the beefy looking locks would send the thieves next door...not very neighbourly of me but the thieves have to make their living too...just not off me.
that's all U need ... plus good lighting.
motion lights are the best.
I used to have all sorta facts and figures to scare people into buying security systems ... but they're all common sense. Be the hardest target on the street ... be well lit ...and if U do a security system ...
go for a full perimiter system ... are all the first floor doors/windows ... keet the intruders on the outside. Alot of the big national companies make their money on the monthly contracts ... and offer a 2 door sensor/ central hall motion detector.
If I know that ... so do the thieves!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Yeah, that was the "key" used by some wire thieves here about 6 months back -- cut a hole in the side of the building and hauled out about a half-ton of wire.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin